Soccer skills made simple

The Croqueta

A two-touch move for slipping past a defender in a tight space. Watch it at game speed, then learn it one step at a time.

The move in one sentence

Slide the ball from one foot to the other, then push it forward past the defender.

Remember

  • wait until the defender reaches for the ball
  • side, then forward: two touches, one beat
  • speed up as soon as you are past
Part 1 of 6 Paused

Game speed

This is the croqueta at game speed. Two quick touches and the defender is beaten.

View
First touch

Read every part

Read the lesson with either foot, with or without the 3D animation.

1. Game speed

The whole move, as fast as in a match.

Right-foot first

  1. This is the croqueta at game speed. Two quick touches and the defender is beaten.

Left-foot first

  1. This is the croqueta at game speed. Two quick touches and the defender is beaten.
2. Slow motion

The same move, slowed right down.

Right-foot first

  1. You dribble straight at the defender.
  2. You show the ball on your right side. The defender reaches for it.
  3. First touch: the inside of your right foot slides the ball across.
  4. Second touch: the inside of your left foot pushes it forward.
  5. Now speed up into the space behind the defender.

Left-foot first

  1. You dribble straight at the defender.
  2. You show the ball on your left side. The defender reaches for it.
  3. First touch: the inside of your left foot slides the ball across.
  4. Second touch: the inside of your right foot pushes it forward.
  5. Now speed up into the space behind the defender.
3. Step 1: Bring them in

Make the defender reach for the ball.

Right-foot first

  1. Dribble at the defender with the ball on your right side.
  2. Freeze! The defender reaches for the ball. That is your signal to go.

Left-foot first

  1. Dribble at the defender with the ball on your left side.
  2. Freeze! The defender reaches for the ball. That is your signal to go.
4. Step 2: Slide it across

First touch, sideways.

Right-foot first

  1. Get the inside of your right foot next to the ball.
  2. Slide the ball sideways across your body. Keep it on the ground.
  3. Freeze! The ball is at your left foot, and the defender kicks at nothing.

Left-foot first

  1. Get the inside of your left foot next to the ball.
  2. Slide the ball sideways across your body. Keep it on the ground.
  3. Freeze! The ball is at your right foot, and the defender kicks at nothing.
5. Step 3: Push it forward

Second touch, straight past them.

Right-foot first

  1. The ball arrives at your left foot.
  2. Push it forward with the inside of your left foot. Don't stop the ball first.
  3. Freeze! Side, then forward. Two touches, one beat.

Left-foot first

  1. The ball arrives at your right foot.
  2. Push it forward with the inside of your right foot. Don't stop the ball first.
  3. Freeze! Side, then forward. Two touches, one beat.
6. Step 4: Go!

Speed up into the space.

Right-foot first

  1. Take off! The defender is leaning the wrong way and can't turn in time.
  2. You are past. Keep the ball close and look up.

Left-foot first

  1. Take off! The defender is leaning the wrong way and can't turn in time.
  2. You are past. Keep the ball close and look up.

Practice it at home

Use a clear, level space with room to move forward. Start slowly with a ball and a soft cone. Keep practice gentle; build speed once both touches feel comfortable.

Tick-tock
Stand still and tap the ball from the inside of one foot to the inside of the other. Stay on your toes with your knees bent. Try 30 seconds without losing it.
Tick-tock-go
Do two tick-tocks, then push the next touch forward and jog after it. Ten times starting with each foot.
Beat the cone
Put down a soft cone as the defender. Dribble at it and do the croqueta one step before you reach it. Ten times each way.
Add a partner
With an adult supervising younger players, ask a partner to act as a passive defender. Agree to gentle movement, with no tackles or contact. Go when they reach.
When to use it
When a defender is close and steps in to win the ball. If they stay back and wait, there is nothing to slip past, so pass or try another move.
Common mistakes
Going before the defender reaches. Pushing the first touch so far that the other foot can't get to it. Standing up tall when you should stay low.

The players are simple figures and the distances are tidied up so the footwork is easy to see. Use the "First touch" buttons to practise the move in both directions.

More skill trainingBuild a practice planCoach's Corner